Liverpool-born actor, comedian, impressionist, musician and, most recently, music video director, Peter Serafinowicz entertained a sell-out crowd in the magnificent surroundings of The Concert Room at St George's Hall this weekend.
The unique evening entitled "In Conversation..." was the sixth in a series hosted by specialists in 'events with sophistication' - Club Geek Chic - with Mike McCartney and David Morrisey amongst previous interviewees.
The opulent decor in The Concert Room certainly encouraged the audience to feel honoured guests as opposed to mere members of a crowd. Conducted by Mike Neary, the interview took place over three hours, broken up with a 'Desert Island Discs' feature of live acoustic performances of Peter’s five favourite songs performed by established and up-and-coming Liverpool musicians.
Despite a wonderfully packed out crowd of loyal fans, time and time again I find mention of the extremely talented Belle Valle comedian is met by blank stares. This frustrating, woeful underappreciation of our very own jack-of-all trades (but seemingly master of all) is usually easily rectified...
"You know! He played 'Tex', the tall, dark, stocky scouse fella obsessed with the USA in that James Bond Alan Partridge episode?" I'll enthuse, or "You must remember him as Duane Benzie? The arrogant git who stole Tim's ex-girlfriend in Spaced?" are words met with enthusiastic nods.
Hard to pinpoint one specific triumph, perhaps it is Peter's expansive CV that has caused a lack of recognition nationwide.
Serafinowicz voiced the Star Wars character Darth Maul and is famed for uncanny impersonations of Terry Wogan and Sir Paul McCartney, along with his self-entitled BBC2 sketch show featuring much-loved characters such as the feckless oaf Brian Butterfield.
The ex-Bluecoat pupil spoke candidly about his incredible career landing roles working alongside Steve Coogan and Simon Pegg, to his own under-celebrated comedy series Look Around You, expertly spoofing the likes of educational programmes for schools such as You and Me and informative programmes such as Tomorrow's World.
Thrilling the crowd with an array of warm-hearted impressions, including the late, great Leonard Rossiter, it was clear a trim-looking Serafinowicz was humbled by the wealth of love in his home city. Having moved to London in his early twenties, he rarely finds time to visit Liverpool. Praise must go to Club Geek Chic's technical team for making excellent use of a huge screen, projecting various clips in a timely fashion to illustrate Peter's work throughout the evening.
Although the relaxed interview was thoroughly enjoyable, Mike Neary drew few exclusive revelations beyond a youthful folly in disliking "The Beatles", an unabashed admission that despite his involvement, he believes The Phantom Menance "was shit" and a desire to voice a Beatles cartoon series playing John, Paul, George AND Ringo. The crowd were also treated to a sneek-peak at his latest project directing an amusing music video for "Open Your Eyes" by Swedish House Mafia.
Keen fans were invited to probe Peter on any topic during a Question and Answer session with Peter delighted to confirm "That Twitter joke" which fooled the Twitterati, and his subsequent "apology", was entirely fake.
8/10 "Write that down in your notebooks now."
Club Geek Chic’s Gemma and Karen are already in talks with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko and actors Sue Johnston and Jason Isaacs for further "In Conversation" events.
Peter's Top Five song choices were:
'Reelin' In The Years' by Steely Dan
'Desirelines' by Deerhunter
'Are Friends Electric?' by Gary Numan
'Helter Skelter' by The Beatles
'How soon is now?' by The Smiths
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